Apparatus and method for cleaning hard surface flooring

ABSTRACT

One aspect of the invention is directed to a portable liquid-recycling liquid-reusing cleaning apparatus for use in cleaning hard surface flooring may have a cleaning-liquid-dispensing-and-vacuum-recovery tank, a spigot fluidly connected to the tank, and a vacuum motor assembly fluidly connected to the tank. The tank may define an interior space operable to hold cleaning liquid and soil. The tank may have a liquid dispensing outlet fluidly connected to the tank interior space, and a vacuum recovery inlet fluidly connected to the tank interior space. The spigot may be fluidly connected to the tank interior space via the liquid dispensing outlet. The spigot also may be manually adjustable through a range between a fully open position and a fully closed position, whereby when the tank contains cleaning liquid, a user may dispense and regulate the flow of cleaning liquid from the tank through the spigot onto hard surface flooring by manually adjusting the spigot. The vacuum motor assembly may be fluidly connected to the tank interior space, whereby a user may vacuum soil and dispensed cleaning liquid from hard surface flooring into the tank interior space via the vacuum recovery inlet. Another aspect of the invention is directed to a method of cleaning hard surface flooring with a portable liquid-recycling liquid-reusing cleaning apparatus in which cleaning liquid is dispensed from, vacuumed into, and re-dispensed from a single tank of the cleaning apparatus onto hard surface flooring. The method may include: filling at least a portion of the tank interior space with a cleaning liquid; dispensing at least a portion of the cleaning liquid from the tank interior space onto a first area of hard surface flooring via the liquid dispensing outlet and the spigot by manually adjusting the spigot; vacuuming soil and at least some of the portion of the dispensed cleaning liquid from the first area of hard surface flooring into the tank interior space via the vacuum recovery inlet, thereby removing soil and recovering cleaning liquid from the first area of hard surface flooring; and dispensing at least a portion of the recovered cleaning liquid from the tank interior space onto a second area of hard surface flooring via the liquid dispensing outlet and the spigot by manually adjusting the spigot. If desired, the method may include vacuuming soil and at least some of the portion of the dispensed cleaning liquid from the second area of hard surface flooring into the tank interior space via the vacuum recovery inlet, thereby removing soil and recovering cleaning liquid from the second area of hard surface flooring. If desired, the method may include manually spreading or agitating cleaning liquid on at least one of the first or second areas of hard surface flooring during or following the dispensing step for the at least one of the first or second areas. A further aspect of the invention is directed to another method of cleaning hard surface flooring with a portable liquid-recycling liquid-reusing cleaning apparatus in which cleaning liquid is dispensed from, vacuumed into, and re-dispensed from a single tank of the cleaning apparatus onto hard surface flooring. The method may include: filling at least a portion of the tank interior space with a cleaning liquid; dispensing at least a portion of the cleaning liquid from the tank interior space onto a first area of hard surface flooring via the liquid dispensing outlet and the spigot by manually adjusting the spigot; dispensing at least a portion of the cleaning liquid from the tank interior space onto a second area of hard surface flooring via the liquid dispensing outlet and the spigot by manually adjusting the spigot; vacuuming soil and at least some of the portion of the dispensed cleaning liquid from at least one of the first and second areas of hard surface flooring into the tank interior space via the vacuum recovery inlet, thereby removing soil and recovering cleaning liquid from the at least one of the first and second areas of hard surface flooring; and dispensing at least a portion of the recovered cleaning liquid from the tank interior space onto a third area of hard surface flooring via the liquid dispensing outlet and the spigot by manually adjusting the spigot. If desired, the method may include vacuuming soil and at least some of the portion of the recovered cleaning liquid from the third area of hard surface flooring into the tank interior space via the vacuum recovery suction inlet, thereby removing soil and recovering cleaning liquid from the third area of hard surface flooring. If desired, the method may include manually spreading or agitating cleaning liquid on at least one of the first, second, or third areas of hard surface flooring during or following the dispensing step for the at least one of the first, second, or third areas.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent document claims the benefit of the filing date ofProvisional Application No. 61/994,821, entitled “Compact Cleaning andFloor Care System” and filed on May 16, 2014. The entire disclosure ofProvisional Application No. 61/994,821 is incorporated into this patentdocument by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to machines and methods for cleaning hard surfaceflooring, and more particularly, to machines and methods for cleaninghard surface flooring in which cleaning liquid is recycled and reused.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the invention is directed to a portable liquid-recyclingliquid-reusing cleaning apparatus for use in cleaning hard surfaceflooring may have a cleaning-liquid-dispensing-and-vacuum-recovery tank,a spigot fluidly connected to the tank, and a vacuum motor assemblyfluidly connected to the tank.

The tank may define an interior space operable to hold cleaning liquidand soil. The tank may have a liquid dispensing outlet fluidly connectedto the tank interior space, and a vacuum recovery inlet fluidlyconnected to the tank interior space. The spigot may be fluidlyconnected to the tank interior space via the liquid dispensing outlet.The spigot also may be manually adjustable through a range between afully open position and a fully closed position, whereby when the tankcontains cleaning liquid, a user may dispense and regulate the flow ofcleaning liquid from the tank through the spigot onto hard surfaceflooring by manually adjusting the spigot. The vacuum motor assembly maybe fluidly connected to the tank interior space, whereby a user mayvacuum soil and dispensed cleaning liquid from hard surface flooringinto the tank interior space via the vacuum recovery inlet.

Another aspect of the invention is directed to a method of cleaning hardsurface flooring with a portable liquid-recycling liquid-reusingcleaning apparatus in which cleaning liquid is dispensed from, vacuumedinto, and re-dispensed from a single tank of the cleaning apparatus ontohard surface flooring.

The method may include: filling at least a portion of the tank interiorspace with a cleaning liquid; dispensing at least a portion of thecleaning liquid from the tank interior space onto a first area of hardsurface flooring via the liquid dispensing outlet and the spigot bymanually adjusting the spigot; vacuuming soil and at least some of theportion of the dispensed cleaning liquid from the first area of hardsurface flooring into the tank interior space via the vacuum recoveryinlet, thereby removing soil and recovering cleaning liquid from thefirst area of hard surface flooring; and dispensing at least a portionof the recovered cleaning liquid from the tank interior space onto asecond area of hard surface flooring via the liquid dispensing outletand the spigot by manually adjusting the spigot.

If desired, the method may include vacuuming soil and at least some ofthe portion of the dispensed cleaning liquid from the second area ofhard surface flooring into the tank interior space via the vacuumrecovery inlet, thereby removing soil and recovering cleaning liquidfrom the second area of hard surface flooring. If desired, the methodmay include manually spreading or agitating cleaning liquid on at leastone of the first or second areas of hard surface flooring during orfollowing the dispensing step for the at least one of the first orsecond areas.

A further aspect of the invention is directed to another method ofcleaning hard surface flooring with a portable liquid-recyclingliquid-reusing cleaning apparatus in which cleaning liquid is dispensedfrom, vacuumed into, and re-dispensed from a single tank of the cleaningapparatus onto hard surface flooring.

The method may include: filling at least a portion of the tank interiorspace with a cleaning liquid; dispensing at least a portion of thecleaning liquid from the tank interior space onto a first area of hardsurface flooring via the liquid dispensing outlet and the spigot bymanually adjusting the spigot; dispensing at least a portion of thecleaning liquid from the tank interior space onto a second area of hardsurface flooring via the liquid dispensing outlet and the spigot bymanually adjusting the spigot; vacuuming soil and at least some of theportion of the dispensed cleaning liquid from at least one of the firstand second areas of hard surface flooring into the tank interior spacevia the vacuum recovery inlet, thereby removing soil and recoveringcleaning liquid from the at least one of the first and second areas ofhard surface flooring; and dispensing at least a portion of therecovered cleaning liquid from the tank interior space onto a third areaof hard surface flooring via the liquid dispensing outlet and the spigotby manually adjusting the spigot.

If desired, the method may include vacuuming soil and at least some ofthe portion of the recovered cleaning liquid from the third area of hardsurface flooring into the tank interior space via the vacuum recoverysuction inlet, thereby removing soil and recovering cleaning liquid fromthe third area of hard surface flooring. If desired, the method mayinclude manually spreading or agitating cleaning liquid on at least oneof the first, second, or third areas of hard surface flooring during orfollowing the dispensing step for the at least one of the first, second,or third areas.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are a part of this specification,illustrate embodiments of the invention. And together with the generaldescription of the invention given above, and the detailed descriptionof the drawings given below, the accompanying drawings explain theprinciples of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the portableliquid-recycling liquid-reusing cleaning apparatus, in accordance withthe principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the portable liquid-recyclingliquid-reusing cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a left side view of the portable liquid-recyclingliquid-reusing cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a back view of the portable liquid-recycling liquid-reusingcleaning apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a right side view of the portable liquid-recyclingliquid-reusing cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the portable liquid-recycling liquid-reusingcleaning apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the portable liquid-recyclingliquid-reusing cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1, taken along line 7-7 ofFIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the portable liquid-recyclingliquid-reusing cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1, taken along line 8-8 ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the portable liquid-recyclingliquid-reusing cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1, taken along line 9-9 ofFIG. 5:

FIG. 10 is a portion of the cross-sectional view of FIG. 9, enlarged formagnification purposes;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a portion of the optional bag filterassembly of the portable liquid-recycling liquid-reusing cleaningapparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the portable liquid-recyclingliquid-reusing cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1, with the cleaning apparatusfurther including a floor tool, a vacuum wand, and a vacuum hose

FIG. 13 is a right side view of the portable liquid-recyclingliquid-reusing cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1 positioned on a janitorcart, with the cleaning apparatus further including a tubing segment;

FIG. 14 is a flow chart of a method of cleaning hard surface flooringwith the portable liquid-recycling liquid-reusing cleaning apparatus ofFIG. 1, in accordance with the principles of the invention; and

FIG. 15 is a flow chart of a method of cleaning hard surface flooringwith the portable liquid-recycling liquid-reusing cleaning apparatus ofFIG. 1, in accordance with the principles of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With reference to FIGS. 1.-9, a particular embodiment 10 of the portableliquid-recycling liquid-reusing cleaning apparatus, in accordance withthe principles of the invention, is shown. The cleaning apparatusembodiment 10 includes a cleaning-liquid-dispensing-and-vacuum-recoverytank assembly 12, a spigot assembly 14, and a vacuum head assembly 16.

The tank assembly 12 includes acleaning-liquid-dispensing-and-vacuum-recovery tank 18, a chassis 20,and four swivel caster wheels as at 20. The tank has a top wall 24, abottom wall 26, a front wall 28, a back wall 30, a left sidewall 32, anda right sidewall 34; and the tank defines an interior space 36 operableto hold cleaning liquid and soil. The tank also has a liquid dispensingoutlet 38 at a lower portion of the back wall, and a vacuum recoveryinlet 40 at a front left portion of the top wall. Both the liquiddispensing outlet and the vacuum recovery inlet are fluidly connected tothe tank interior space.

The tank top wall 24 has a large centrally located opening 42. When thevacuum head assembly 16 (discussed below) is in position, the vacuumhead assembly is releasably and removably seated about the opening. Thevacuum head assembly is secured to the tank by latches as at 44 thatextend upward from the tank top wall. When the latches are released andthe vacuum head assembly is lifted up and away from the centrallylocated opening, a user can easily access the tank interior space 36 viathe opening.

The spigot assembly 14 includes a spigot 46 and a spigot handle 48connected to the spigot. The spigot is fluidly connected to the tankinterior space 36 via the tank's liquid dispensing outlet 38. The spigotincludes a valve 50 that facilitates the spigot's ability to dispenseand regulate the flow of cleaning liquid from the tank 18 through thespigot onto hard surface flooring. The spigot handle is an elongated rodthat extends upward from the spigot. The spigot handle has an upwardlyextending section 52 and a horizontal section 54 at the top of theupwardly extending section. A frame 56 extends rearward from the backwall 30 of the tank; and the upwardly extending section of the spigothandle extends through an opening in the frame.

In use, a user typically operates the spigot handle 48 by grasping thehorizontal section 54 and turning the section to the right or to theleft. The spigot 46 is manually adjustable through a range from a fullyopen position to a fully closed position, whereby when the tank 18contains cleaning liquid, a user may dispense and regulate the flow ofcleaning liquid from the tank through the spigot onto hard surfaceflooring by manually turning the spigot handle a desired amount to theright or to the left, thereby adjusting the spigot.

Typically a portable liquid-recycling liquid-reusing cleaning apparatusof the present invention does not include a pump to assist in dispensingcleaning liquid from the tank through the spigot onto an area of hardsurface flooring. Instead, such a cleaning apparatus uses the naturalforce of gravity to facilitate dispensing cleaning liquid from the tank.With reference to the Figures, the cleaning apparatus embodiment 10 isfree of such a pump.

As noted above, the vacuum head assembly 16 is releasably and removablypositioned on the cleaning-liquid-dispensing-and-vacuum-recovery tank18. The vacuum head assembly includes an outer housing 58, a vacuummotor assembly, and an automatic shutoff system in the form of a floatshutoff assembly 62. The vacuum motor assembly is fluidly connected tothe tank interior space 36, whereby a user may vacuum soil and dispensedcleaning liquid from hard surface flooring into the tank interior spacevia the tank's vacuum recovery inlet 40.

The outer housing 58 includes an on/off switch 64, a main handle 66, anda steering tab or handle 68. In use, a user may grasp or otherwise exertforce on the steering tab 68 to facilitate moving (e.g., pushing orpulling) the portable liquid-recycling liquid-reusing cleaning apparatus10.

The vacuum motor assembly is an AC assembly powered by an AC electricalcord (not shown) connectable, for example, to a conventional walloutlet. Alternatively, the vacuum motor assembly may be a DC assemblypowered by DC battery—for example, a battery or battery pack that ispositioned on or mounted to thecleaning-liquid-dispensing-and-vacuum-recovery tank. If desired, thevacuum motor assembly may have the following specifications: two-stagevacuum motor; from about 60 to about 120 inches of water lift(deadhead); and from about 50 to about 120 CFM of open flow.

The portable liquid-recycling liquid-reusing cleaning apparatus 10 alsohas an optional bag filter assembly 70 removably positioned in the tankinterior space 36. With reference to FIGS. 9-11, the bag filter assemblyhas a frame 72 and a bag filter 74—with the bag filter opening connectedto the frame so as to define a bag filter inlet 76. The interior of thetank 18—from the vacuum recovery inlet 40 to the bag filter assembly70—is configured so as to direct soil and cleaning liquid toward the bagfilter inlet.

If desired, the bag filter may have a pore size of from about 25 micronsto about 300 microns. Also, if desired, pore size may be selected basedon the nature or characteristics of the soil(s) to be removed from aparticular area or areas of hard surface flooring (e.g., size(s) of thesoil particles). If desired, the bag filter assembly material(s) andconstruction may be such that the bag filter (or bag filter assembly)may be reused several times and then disposed of. The bag filter (or bagfilter assembly) should be replaced as needed. Also, if desired, the bagfilter may be made of a nylon mesh material.

The bag filter assembly serves several purposes. For example, it filtersout gross soils from the cleaning liquid such that the cleaning liquidmay be recycled and reused more times. It also prevents large debrisparticles from getting into the drains and plumbing system(s) of thebuilding or other facility being cleaned. In addition, the bag filterassembly facilitates cleanup of the cleaning apparatus. For example,when cleaning the interior of the tank, gross soils and large debrisparticles captured by the bag filter assembly may be readily removedfrom the tank by removing the filter assembly from the tank, emptyingthe contents of the filter assembly, and rinsing off the bag filtermaterial.

When a user vacuums soil and dispensed cleaning liquid from an area ofhard surface flooring, the vacuumed soil and cleaning liquid movethrough the vacuum recovery inlet and the bag filter inlet into the tankinterior space. Larger debris and other larger soil particles areretained in the bag filter; while smaller soil particles and recoveredcleaning liquid may pass back and forth through the pores in the bagfilter. Depending on soil particle size and settling time, some soilparticles may settle on the interior surface of the tank bottom wall.

The tank bottom wall 26 includes an interior surface 78 that assists indefining the tank interior space 36. The tank liquid dispensing outlet38 is positioned above the tank bottom wall interior surface, therebyinhibiting soil that settles on the portion of the tank bottom wallinterior surface from passing through the tank liquid dispensing outletand spigot 46 onto the hard surface flooring when cleaning liquid isbeing dispensed.

The tank 18 further includes a dump outlet 80 located at a lower portionof the tank front wall 28, with the dump outlet fluidly connected to thetank interior space 36. And the tank assembly 12 further includes a dumphose 82 fluidly connected to the dump outlet. In this fashion, when auser is done recycling and reusing the cleaning liquid, the user maydrain cleaning liquid and soil from the tank interior space into asuitable receptacle or drain via the dump outlet and dump hose.

In another embodiment of the cleaning apparatus (not shown), the tankmay have a dump drain outlet including a valve—for use in drainingcleaning liquid and soil from the tank interior space into a suitablereceptacle or drain. The dump drain outlet may be provided eitherinstead of or in addition to the dump outlet and dump hose describedabove. Such a dump drain outlet typically is located at the lowest pointof the concave interior surface of the bottom wall (e.g., the center ofthe bottom wall interior surface). If desired, the valve may be a slidegate valve.

With reference to FIG. 12, the portable liquid-recycling liquid-reusingcleaning apparatus embodiment 10 of FIGS. 1-9 is shown in combinationwith a squeegee floor tool 84, a handheld vacuum wand 86, and a lengthof vacuum hose 88. The floor tool, vacuum wand, and vacuum hose arefluidly connected to the tank interior space 36 via the vacuum recoveryinlet 40. With this combination, when the vacuum motor assembly isturned on, a user may vacuum soil and dispensed cleaning liquid from anarea of hard surface flooring into the tank 18 via the floor tool,vacuum wand, and vacuum hose. Note that the hose as illustrated has whatappears to be a short gap between two hose segments. The gap is merelyfor illustration purposes, and is used to indicate that the hose may belonger (or shorter) than depicted in FIG. 12.

Referring to FIG. 13, the portable liquid-recycling liquid-reusingcleaning apparatus embodiment 10 of FIGS. 1-9 is shown positioned on ajanitor cart 90. The cleaning apparatus further includes a tubingsegment 92, with one end of the segment connected to the spigot 46 andthe other end of the segment extending downward toward the hard surfaceflooring.

Any of the methods discussed below for cleaning hard surface flooringwith a portable liquid-recycling liquid-reusing cleaning apparatus alsomay be used with a cleaning-apparatus-on-janitor-cart combination systemof the present invention. In doing so, a user typically keeps thecleaning apparatus positioned on the janitor cart, and moves both theapparatus and the cart simply by moving (e.g., pushing or pulling) thejanitor cart. When the user wants to dispense cleaning liquid from thetank onto an area of hard surface flooring to be cleaned, the usermanually turns (i.e., rotates) the spigot handle as described above; andthe tubing segment directs the cleaning liquid from the spigot to theparticular area.

A portable liquid-recycling liquid-reusing cleaning apparatus of thepresent invention may be made using any suitable material(s) andmanufacturing technique(s). For example, if desired, thecleaning-liquid-dispensing-and-vacuum-recovery tank and chassis may bemade of polypropylene using thermoplastic injection molding.

In use, a portable liquid-recycling liquid-reusing cleaning apparatus,in accordance with the principles of the invention, may be used to cleanhard surface flooring in any of a number of ways.

The present invention also is directed to methods of cleaning hardsurface flooring with a portable liquid-recycling liquid-reusingcleaning apparatus. Such methods, in accordance with the principles ofthe invention, may involve any of a number of steps, and may have suchsteps arranged in any of a number of different ways. Typically, suchmethods employ a portable liquid-recycling liquid-reusing cleaningapparatus of the present invention.

Some methods may include: dispensing fresh (or used (e.g., recovered))cleaning liquid from a cleaning-liquid-dispensing-and-vacuum-recoverytank via a spigot onto an area of hard surface flooring; followed atsome point by vacuuming soil and dispensed cleaning liquid from theflooring area into the tank via a vacuum recovery inlet, therebyremoving soil and recovering cleaning liquid from the flooring area;followed at some point by dispensing recovered cleaning liquid from thetank via the spigot onto another area of hard surface flooring. Ifdesired, such methods may further include vacuuming soil and dispensedcleaning liquid from the other flooring area into the tank via thevacuum recovery inlet, thereby removing soil and recovering cleaningliquid from the other flooring area.

Typically the dispensing of cleaning liquid from the tank through thespigot onto one or more areas of hard surface flooring is performedwithout the assistance of a pump. Instead, the natural force of gravityis used to facilitate such dispensing of cleaning liquid from the tank.

If desired, some methods also may include spreading and/or agitatingcleaning liquid that has been dispensed (or is in the process of beingdispensed) onto an area of hard surface flooring. If further desired,the spreading and/or agitating may be done manually by a user (e.g.,using a mop, brush, squeegee, or other handheld spreading device). Thespreading and/or agitation helps loosen soil from the flooring area andfacilitates mixing of soil with dispensed cleaning liquid prior tovacuuming soil and dispensed cleaning liquid from the flooring area intothe tank.

In one cleaning method of the invention, a user dispenses cleaningliquid from a tank via a spigot onto one area of hard surface flooring,then onto another area of hard surface flooring—prior to vacuuming soiland dispensed cleaning liquid from either of the two areas into thetank. If desired, this may be done for convenience, or it may be done toextend the dwell time of the cleaning liquid. The two areas may be in asingle room or may be in two rooms (e.g., a kitchen and a lobby of arestaurant). The user then vacuums soil and dispensed cleaning liquidfrom the two areas into the tank. Then the user dispenses recoveredcleaning liquid from the tank via the spigot onto yet an additional areaof hard surface flooring, followed by vacuuming up soil and dispensedcleaning liquid from the additional area. The additional area may be inthe same single room, or if two rooms, then in one of the same tworooms. Alternatively, the additional area may be in a third room (e.g.,a restroom of a restaurant).

With reference to FIG. 14, an example of a method of cleaning hardsurface flooring with the portable liquid-recycling liquid-reusingcleaning apparatus embodiment 10, in accordance with the principles ofthe invention, is shown.

As shown at 100, a user fills thecleaning-liquid-dispensing-and-vacuum-recovery tank 18 with a freshcleaning liquid—for example, water or another cleaning liquid orsolution. If desired, the user may fill the tank with cleaning liquid byexposing the large centrally located opening 42 at the tank top wall 24(i.e., central opening 42), and pouring cleaning liquid through thecentral opening 42 into the tank interior space 36. The user may accessthe central opening 42 by opening the latches as at 44 that assist inreleasably securing the vacuum head assembly 16 and the tank assembly 12to one another, and removing the vacuum head assembly 16. Once the userhas added a desired amount of cleaning liquid to the tank, the user mayreseat the vacuum head assembly about the central opening and may closethe latches, thereby resecuring the vacuum head assembly and the tankassembly to each other. If the cleaning apparatus 10 is not already onthe area of hard surface flooring to be cleaned, the user moves (e.g.,pushes or pulls) the cleaning apparatus to the desired location.

In other method embodiments of the present invention, if desired, a usermay fill the tank with a used cleaning liquid—preferably a recycledcleaning liquid. For example, a user may fill the tank by vacuumingpreviously dispensed cleaning liquid into the tank.

At 102, the user dispenses a desired amount of fresh cleaning liquidthrough the spigot 46 onto an area of hard surface flooring (e.g.,flooring area #1) by manually turning (i.e., rotating) the spigot handle48 from a fully closed position to one or more desired open positions,and then back to a fully closed position. If desired, the user moves thecleaning apparatus 10 across the flooring area while dispensing cleaningliquid. The user dispenses some or all of the fresh cleaning liquid ontothe flooring area, depending on the amount needed for the particularcleaning task.

At 104, if desired, the user spreads and/or agitates the fresh cleaningliquid that has been dispensed (or is in the process of being dispensed)onto the flooring area—using a mop, brush, squeegee, or other handheldspreading device to do so. The spreading and/or agitation helps loosensoil from the flooring area and facilitates mixing of soil withdispensed cleaning liquid prior to vacuuming soil and dispensed cleaningliquid from the flooring area into the tank 18.

At 106, the user turns on the vacuum motor assembly and vacuums soil anddispensed cleaning liquid from the flooring area into the tank interiorspace 36, thereby removing soil and recovering cleaning liquid forreuse. If the user did not dispense all of the fresh cleaning liquid at102, the recovered cleaning liquid mixes with the remaining freshcleaning liquid.

At 108, the user dispenses a desired amount of recovered cleaning liquidthrough the spigot 46 onto another area of hard surface flooring (e.g.,flooring area #2) by manually turning (i.e., rotating) the spigot handle48 from a fully closed position to one or more desired open positions,and then back to a fully closed position. If desired, the user moves thecleaning apparatus 10 across the flooring area while dispensing cleaningliquid. The two areas may be adjacent or remote from one another. Also,the two areas may be in the same room or in different rooms.

At 110, if desired, the user spreads and/or agitates the recoveredcleaning liquid that has been dispensed (or is in the process of beingdispensed) onto the other flooring area—using a mop, brush, squeegee, orother handheld spreading device to do so.

At 112, the user then turns on the vacuum motor assembly and vacuumssoil and dispensed cleaning liquid from the other flooring area into thetank interior space 36, thereby removing soil and recovering cleaningliquid for reuse.

At 114, if there are one or more additional areas of hard surfaceflooring to be cleaned at this time, the user repeats steps 108, 110,and 112 at the additional area(s) (e.g., flooring area(s) #3 through #N(where N is an integer (e.g., 0, 1, 2, etc.)), until the cleaning liquidin the tank 18 becomes visibly soiled (or until the additional area(s)have been cleaned, if sooner). The additional area(s) may be adjacent orremote from one another and flooring areas #1 and #2. Also, theadditional area(s) may be in the same room or in different rooms—withrespect to each other and flooring areas #1 and #2.

At 116, when the cleaning liquid in the tank 18 becomes visiblysoiled—or if the cleaning liquid is not yet visibly soiled, but thecleaning apparatus 10 will not be used for an extended period oftime—the user drains the cleaning liquid and soil from the tank interiorspace 36 into a suitable receptacle or drain via the dump outlet 80 anddump hose 82. If the optional bag filter assembly 70 was used, the useralso removes the bag filter assembly, and empties and rinses off the bagfilter 74. In addition, the user rinses out the tank 18.

With reference to FIG. 15, another example of a method of cleaning hardsurface flooring with the portable liquid-recycling liquid-reusingcleaning apparatus embodiment 10, in accordance with the principles ofthe invention, is shown.

As shown at 200, a user fills thecleaning-liquid-dispensing-and-vacuum-recovery tank 18 with a freshcleaning liquid—for example, water or another cleaning liquid orsolution. If the cleaning apparatus 10 is not already on the area ofhard surface flooring to be cleaned, the user moves (e.g., pushes orpulls) the cleaning apparatus to the desired location.

At 202, the user dispenses fresh cleaning liquid onto two areas of hardsurface flooring (e.g., flooring area #1 and flooring area #2). The twoareas may be adjacent or remote from one another. Also, the two areasmay be in the same room or in different rooms. At each area, the userdispenses an amount of fresh cleaning liquid through the spigot 46 ontothe area by manually turning (i.e., rotating) the spigot handle 48 froma fully closed position to one or more desired open positions, and thenback to a fully closed position. If desired, the user moves the cleaningapparatus 10 across the particular flooring area while dispensingcleaning liquid onto that flooring area.

At 204, at one or both of the two areas, if desired the user spreadsand/or agitates the fresh cleaning liquid that has been dispensed (or isin the process of being dispensed) onto these areas—using a mop, brush,squeegee, or other handheld spreading device to do so. The spreadingand/or agitation helps loosen soil from the flooring area(s) andfacilitates mixing of soil with dispensed cleaning liquid prior tovacuuming soil and dispensed cleaning liquid from the flooring area(s)into the tank 18.

At 206, the user turns on the vacuum motor assembly and vacuums soil anddispensed cleaning liquid from the two areas of hard surface flooring(e.g., flooring area #1 and flooring area #2) into the tank interiorspace 36, thereby removing soil and recovering cleaning liquid forreuse.

At 208, the user dispenses recovered cleaning liquid onto another areaof hard surface flooring (e.g., flooring area #3). The user dispenses adesired amount of recovered cleaning liquid through the spigot 46 ontothis area by manually turning (i.e., rotating) the spigot handle 48 froma fully closed position to one or more desired open positions, and thenback to a fully closed position. If desired, the user moves the cleaningapparatus 10 across this area while dispensing cleaning liquid. Thisarea (flooring area #3) may be adjacent or remote from either or both ofthe other two areas (flooring area #1 and flooring area #2). Also, thisarea may be in the same room as one or both of the other two areas, orit may be in a different room.

At 210, if desired, the user spreads and/or agitates the recoveredcleaning liquid that has been dispensed (or is in the process of beingdispensed) onto this area (flooring area #3)—using a mop, brush,squeegee, or other handheld spreading device to do so.

At 212, the user then turns on the vacuum motor assembly and vacuumssoil and dispensed cleaning liquid from this area (flooring area #3)into the tank interior space 36, thereby removing soil and recoveringcleaning liquid for reuse.

At 214, if there are one or more additional areas of hard surfaceflooring to be cleaned at this time, the user repeats steps 208, 210,and 212 at the additional area(s) (e.g., flooring area(s) #4 through #N(where N is an integer (e.g., 0, 1, 2, etc.)), until the cleaning liquidin the tank 18 becomes visibly soiled (or until the additional area(s)have been cleaned, if sooner). The additional area(s) may be adjacent orremote from one another and flooring areas #1, #2, and #3. Also, theadditional area(s) may be in the same room or in different rooms—withrespect to each other and flooring areas #1, #2, and #3.

At 216, when the cleaning liquid in the tank 18 becomes visiblysoiled—or if the cleaning liquid is not yet visibly soiled, but thecleaning apparatus 10 will not be used for an extended period oftime—the user drains the cleaning liquid and soil from the tank interiorspace 36 into a suitable receptacle or drain via the dump outlet 80 anddump hose 82. If the optional bag filter assembly 70 was used, the useralso removes the bag filter assembly, and empties and rinses off the bagfilter 74. In addition, the user rinses out the tank 18.

While the present invention has been illustrated by a description ofembodiments, and while the illustrative embodiments have been describedin considerable detail, it is not the intention of the inventor torestrict or in any way limit the scope of the following claims to suchdetail. Additional advantages and modifications readily will appear tothose skilled in the art upon a reading of this patent document. Theinvention, in its broader aspects, is therefore not limited to thespecific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrativeexamples shown and described in this patent document. Accordingly,departures may be made from such details without departing from thespirit or scope of the inventor's general inventive concept.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of cleaning hard surface flooring with aportable liquid-recycling liquid-reusing cleaning apparatus in whichcleaning liquid is dispensed from, vacuumed into, and re-dispensed froma single tank of the cleaning apparatus onto hard surface flooring,comprising the steps of: providing a portable liquid-recyclingliquid-reusing cleaning apparatus, comprising: acleaning-liquid-dispensing-and-vacuum-recovery tank, the tank definingan interior space operable to hold cleaning liquid and soil, the tankincluding a liquid dispensing outlet fluidly connected to the tankinterior space, and a vacuum recovery inlet fluidly connected to thetank interior space; a spigot fluidly connected to the tank interiorspace via the liquid dispensing outlet, the spigot manually adjustablethrough a range between a fully open position and a fully closedposition, whereby when the tank contains cleaning liquid, a user maydispense and regulate the flow of cleaning liquid from the tank throughthe spigot onto hard surface flooring by manually adjusting the spigot;and a vacuum motor assembly fluidly connected to the tank interiorspace, whereby a user may vacuum soil and dispensed cleaning liquid fromhard surface flooring into the tank interior space via the vacuumrecovery inlet; filling at least a portion of the tank interior spacewith a cleaning liquid; dispensing at least a portion of the cleaningliquid from the tank interior space onto a first area of hard surfaceflooring via the liquid dispensing outlet and the spigot by manuallyadjusting the spigot; vacuuming soil and at least some of the portion ofthe dispensed cleaning liquid from the first area of hard surfaceflooring into the tank interior space via the vacuum recovery inlet,thereby removing soil and recovering cleaning liquid from the first areaof hard surface flooring; and dispensing at least a portion of therecovered cleaning liquid from the tank interior space onto a secondarea of hard surface flooring via the liquid dispensing outlet and thespigot by manually adjusting the spigot.
 2. The method of claim 1further comprising the step of vacuuming soil and at least some of theportion of the dispensed cleaning liquid from the second area of hardsurface flooring into the tank interior space via the vacuum recoveryinlet, thereby removing soil and recovering cleaning liquid from thesecond area of hard surface flooring.
 3. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising the step of manually spreading or agitating cleaning liquidon at least one of the first or second areas of hard surface flooringduring or following the dispensing step for the at least one of thefirst or second areas.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the dispensingsteps are performed without the assistance of a pump.
 5. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the dispensing steps and the vacuuming step areperformed non-simultaneously.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein theportable liquid-recycling liquid-reusing cleaning apparatus furtherincludes a filter in fluid communication with the vacuum recovery inlet,whereby dispensed cleaning liquid that is vacuumed into the tankinterior space is filtered before it is re-dispensed onto an area ofhard surface flooring.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein the filter is abag filter.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the tank includes a bottomwall, and the bottom wall includes an interior surface that assists indefining the tank interior space, with the tank liquid dispensing outletpositioned above at least a portion of the tank bottom wall interiorsurface, thereby inhibiting soil that settles on the portion of the tankbottom wall interior surface from passing through the tank liquiddispensing outlet and spigot onto the hard surface flooring.
 9. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the portable liquid-recycling liquid-reusingcleaning apparatus further includes a floor tool, whereby when the floortool is fluidly connected to the tank vacuum recovery inlet, a user mayperform the vacuuming step using the floor tool.
 10. The method of claim1 wherein the portable liquid-recycling liquid-reusing cleaningapparatus further includes a plurality of wheels, whereby a user maymanually wheel the apparatus on the hard surface flooring.
 11. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the portable liquid-recycling liquid-reusingcleaning apparatus further includes a spigot handle connected to thespigot, the spigot handle comprising an elongated upwardly-extendingmember, whereby a user may manually adjust the spigot by manuallyrotating the spigot handle.
 12. The method of claim 1 wherein the tankfurther includes a dump outlet fluidly connected to the tank interiorspace, and the portable liquid-recycling liquid-reusing cleaningapparatus further includes a dump hose fluidly connected to the dumpoutlet, whereby a user may drain cleaning liquid and soil from the tankinterior space into a suitable receptacle or drain via the dump outletand dump hose.
 13. A method of cleaning hard surface flooring with aportable liquid-recycling liquid-reusing cleaning apparatus in whichcleaning liquid is dispensed from, vacuumed into, and re-dispensed froma single tank of the cleaning apparatus onto hard surface flooring,comprising the steps of: providing a portable liquid-recyclingliquid-reusing cleaning apparatus, comprising: acleaning-liquid-dispensing-and-vacuum-recovery tank, the tank definingan interior space operable to hold cleaning liquid and soil, the tankincluding a liquid dispensing outlet fluidly connected to the tankinterior space, and a vacuum recovery inlet fluidly connected to thetank interior space; a spigot fluidly connected to the tank interiorspace via the liquid dispensing outlet, the spigot manually adjustablethrough a range between a fully open position and a fully closedposition, whereby when the tank contains cleaning liquid, a user maydispense and regulate the flow of cleaning liquid from the tank throughthe spigot onto hard surface flooring by manually adjusting the spigot;and a vacuum motor assembly fluidly connected to the tank interiorspace, whereby a user may vacuum soil and dispensed cleaning liquid fromhard surface flooring into the tank interior space via the vacuumrecovery inlet; filling at least a portion of the tank interior spacewith a cleaning liquid; dispensing at least a portion of the cleaningliquid from the tank interior space onto a first area of hard surfaceflooring via the liquid dispensing outlet and the spigot by manuallyadjusting the spigot; dispensing at least a portion of the cleaningliquid from the tank interior space onto a second area of hard surfaceflooring via the liquid dispensing outlet and the spigot by manuallyadjusting the spigot; vacuuming soil and at least some of the portion ofthe dispensed cleaning liquid from at least one of the first and secondareas of hard surface flooring into the tank interior space via thevacuum recovery inlet, thereby removing soil and recovering cleaningliquid from the at least one of the first and second areas of hardsurface flooring; and dispensing at least a portion of the recoveredcleaning liquid from the tank interior space onto a third area of hardsurface flooring via the liquid dispensing outlet and the spigot bymanually adjusting the spigot.
 14. The method of claim 13 furthercomprising the step of vacuuming soil and at least some of the portionof the recovered cleaning liquid from the third area of hard surfaceflooring into the tank interior space via the vacuum recovery suctioninlet, thereby removing soil and recovering cleaning liquid from thethird area of hard surface flooring.
 15. The method of claim 13 furthercomprising the step of manually spreading or agitating cleaning liquidon at least one of the first, second, or third areas of hard surfaceflooring during or following the dispensing step for the at least one ofthe first, second, or third areas.
 16. A portable liquid-recyclingliquid-reusing cleaning apparatus for use in cleaning hard surfaceflooring, comprising: a cleaning-liquid-dispensing-and-vacuum-recoverytank, the tank defining an interior space operable to hold cleaningliquid and soil, the tank further including a liquid dispensing outletfluidly connected to the tank interior space, and a vacuum recoveryinlet fluidly connected to the tank interior space; a spigot fluidlyconnected to the tank interior space via the liquid dispensing outlet,the spigot manually adjustable through a range between a fully openposition and a fully closed position, whereby when the tank containscleaning liquid, a user may dispense and regulate the flow of cleaningliquid from the tank through the spigot onto hard surface flooring bymanually adjusting the spigot; and a vacuum motor assembly fluidlyconnected to the tank interior space, whereby a user may vacuum soil anddispensed cleaning liquid from hard surface flooring into the tankinterior space via the vacuum recovery inlet.
 17. The portableliquid-recycling liquid-reusing cleaning apparatus of claim 16 whereinthe apparatus does not include a pump to assist in dispensing cleaningliquid from the tank onto an area of hard surface flooring.
 18. Theportable liquid-recycling liquid-reusing cleaning apparatus of claim 16further including a filter in fluid communication with the vacuumrecovery inlet of the tank, whereby dispensed cleaning liquid that isvacuumed into the tank interior space is filtered before it isre-dispensed onto an area of hard surface flooring.
 19. The portableliquid-recycling liquid-reusing cleaning apparatus of claim 18 whereinthe filter is a bag filter.
 20. The portable liquid-recyclingliquid-reusing cleaning apparatus of claim 16 wherein the tank includesa bottom wall, and the bottom wall includes an interior surface thatassists in defining the tank interior space, with the tank liquiddispensing outlet positioned above at least a portion of the tank bottomwall interior surface, thereby inhibiting soil that settles on theportion of the tank bottom wall interior surface from passing throughthe tank liquid dispensing outlet and spigot onto the hard surfaceflooring.
 21. The portable liquid-recycling liquid-reusing cleaningapparatus of claim 16 further including a floor tool, whereby when thefloor tool is fluidly connected to the tank vacuum recovery inlet, auser may vacuum soil and dispensed cleaning liquid into the tankinterior space using the floor tool.
 22. The portable liquid-recyclingliquid-reusing cleaning apparatus of claim 16 further including aplurality of wheels, whereby a user may manually wheel the apparatus onthe hard surface flooring.
 23. The portable liquid-recyclingliquid-reusing cleaning apparatus of claim 16 further including a spigothandle connected to the spigot, the spigot handle comprising anelongated upwardly-extending member, whereby a user may manually adjustthe spigot by manually rotating the spigot handle.
 24. The portableliquid-recycling liquid-reusing cleaning apparatus of claim 16 whereinthe tank further includes a dump outlet fluidly connected to the tankinterior space, and the portable liquid-recycling liquid-reusingcleaning apparatus further includes a dump hose fluidly connected to thedump outlet, whereby a user may drain cleaning liquid and soil from thetank interior space into a suitable receptacle or drain via the dumpoutlet and dump hose.